Father who helped killer son flee wants to see him

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — An 80-year-old Connecticut man who helped his son flee to Mexico after he was convicted of a killing wants to visit or write his son in prison before he dies.

Frederick Zachs, who is not allowed to associate with felons during a three-year period of supervised release without permission from a probation officer, filed court papers last week asking permission to communicate with his son, Adam, who is serving a 60-year sentence at Cheshire Correctional Institute. His attorneys say prosecutors objected.

The Associated Press left a message Monday with the U.S. Attorney's office.

Frederick Zachs recently served a six-month prison sentence for helping his son flee to Mexico and sending him money.

Adam Zachs was convicted in the 1987 shooting death of Peter Carone. He denied the charges, posted a $250,000 bond after sentencing, missed a court date in 1989 and wasn't seen by authorities until the week of his capture last year in Mexico.

Zachs hasn't seen his son since 1989, is in poor health and would like to see him or write him again before he dies, his attorney said. There is no chance Zachs would again aid his son in fleeing from justice, the attorney said.

"In short, barring Mr. Zachs from visiting and/or writing to his son is simply cruel and unnecessary," wrote his attorney, Jessica Santos. "Mr. Zachs did not take the life of Peter Carone and should not be punished as if he did."

Frederick Zachs, of West Hartford, pleaded guilty last year to harboring a fugitive. His attorneys have said he "regrets with every waking breath" his decision to help his son.

Frederick Zachs admitted that in June 1989, he arranged for his son to be driven to New York to catch a flight to Mexico and later told authorities he didn't know where his son was. The elder Zachs also admitted that he sent money to his son over the years through intermediaries and stayed in touch with him by using an intermediary to send and receive letters. Frederick Zachs also acknowledged that he used prepaid phone cards to call his son from payphones in Arizona and New Jersey from 2002 to 2005.

"By helping his son, a convicted murderer, flee the country and escape justice, Mr. Zachs contributed to the suffering of the victim's family and loved ones for more than two decades," U.S. Attorney David Fein said when he was sentenced.

Adam Zachs created a new life and family under an alias in Mexico, authorities said.

The victim's mother, Adelyne Carone, sued Frederick Zachs last year, claiming his actions caused her mental anguish and emotional and psychological distress.

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